The Supreme winner, the 5 category winners and the Rising Star Award for the Wellington region for 2015 have been announced.
Wellington Community Trust provided awards totalling $42,500. Further awards were provided by Wellington Airport.
Supreme winner
Earthlink Incorporated
With a focus on social, environmental and economic sustainability, Earthlink supports clients coping with mental health or addiction on their pathway towards sustainable employment. Initiatives include training programmes, recycling and horticulture services, a second hand shop, curtain bank and a clothing line created from up-cycled corporate apparel.
WCT Award: $2,500
Earthlink will represent the Wellington region at the Trustpower National Community Awards. The awards are being held in Dunedin on 16 and 17 March 2016.
Earthlink Incorporated
Trustpower National Community Awards on Facebook
Category winners
Health & Wellbeing – Little Sprouts Charitable Trust
Little Sprouts is dedicated to ensuring that all babies get the best start in life. They give away free life-changing packs full of everything a baby needs at birth, plus additional health and safety items, to vulnerable babies and their families. Over 200 packs worth over $250,000 were distributed this year, and new branches established in Auckland and Christchurch.
WCT Award: $1,000
Little Sprouts Charitable Trust
Arts & Culture – Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre
Expressions Whirinaki offers a varied programme of special events, exhibitions, concerts and shows, and community activities throughout year with the help and support from a team of great volunteers.
WCT Award: $1,000
Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre
Sport & Leisure – New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils for the NZ Community Football Cup
The New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils is a non-government umbrella organisation for the ethnic communities of New Zealand. The New Zealand Communities Football Cup, developed by the NZ Police, is a national tournament providing an opportunity for positive community interaction that is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers.
WCT Award: $1,000
NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils
Educational & Child/Youth Development – Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust
Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust provides free musical tuition and instruments to children in socially or economically disadvantaged communities and runs a string orchestra for students.
WCT Award: $1,000
Virtuoso Strings
Heritage & Environment – Earthlink Incorporated
WCT Award: $1,000
Rising Star Award
The Shed Project
The Shed Project provides educational and social opportunities for young adults who have an intellectual disability, or who have exited the state education system. It offers NZQA-accredited education courses and hands-on vocational training in woodwork, craft work and toy making, along with recreational and social events.
WCT Award: $1,000
The Shed Project
Regional winners
Special ceremonies were held around the Wellington region to honour the local winners.
Award amounts are those given by Wellington Community Trust.
Hutt City Council
Overall winner
Earthlink Incorporated ($1,000)
Rising Star Award
Winner: Taiohi Morehu ($1,000)
Runner up: Knit One Pearl One
Health & Wellbeing
Winner: WhanauOra Free Bootcamp ($1,000)
Runner up: Wellington Down Syndrome Association
Arts & Culture
Winner: Goodtime Music Academy ($1,000)
Runner up: Mix – Connecting, Creating, Living Inc
Sport & Leisure
Winner: Wainuiomata Trail Project ($1,000)
Runner up: Hutt Valley GymSports
Education & Child/Youth Development
Winner: Royal New Zealand Plunket Society (Wellington/Wairarapa) ($1,000)
Runner Up: Co-Ed Coffee Educators & Coffee Shop
Heritage & Environment
Winner: Earthlink Incorporated ($1,000)
Runner up: Friends of Horoeka Scenic Resserve
Kapiti Coast District Council
Overall winner
Kapiti Coast United Football Club ($1,000)
Rising Star Award
Winner: The Shed Project Kapiti ($1,000)
Runner up: Victory All Star Cheerleaders (Kapiti Coast)
Health & Wellbeing
Winner: Volunteer Kapiti ($1,000)
Runner up: Kapiti Community Foodbank
Arts & Culture
Winner: Kapiti Concert Orchestra ($1,000)
Runner up: Kapiti Brass
Sport & Leisure
Winner: Kapiti Coast United Football Club ($1,000)
Runner up: Otaki Kite Festival / Otaki Promotions Group
Education & Child/Youth Development
Winner: Waikanae Boating Club ($1,000)
Runner Up: Kapiti Parents Centre
Heritage & Environment
Winner: Discover Kapiti Heritage Group ($1,000)
Runner up: Matai Community Garden
Porirua City Council
Overall winner
Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust ($1,000)
Rising Star Award
Winner: Porirua Men United ($1,000)
Runner up: Stuart Park Restoration Project
Health & Wellbeing
Winner: Little Sprouts Charitable Trust ($1,000)
Runner up: Porirua Men United
Arts & Culture
Winner: Porirua Little Theatre Inc ($1,000)
Runner up: Porirua Soundscapes
Sport & Leisure
Winner: Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club ($1,000)
Runner up: Porirua City Aquatics Learn to Swim Programme
Education & Child/Youth Development
Winner: Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust ($1,000)
Runner Up: Mana Parents Centre
Heritage & Environment
Winner: Porirua Harbour Trust ($1,000)
Runner up: Titahi Bay Horticultural Society Inc
Upper Hutt City Council
Overall winner
Expressions Whirinaki Arts and Entertainment Centre Volunteers ($1,000)
Rising Star Award
Winner: St Hilda’s Te Kaiawhina/Nga Whānau ($1,000)
Runner up: Angel Tree Family Events
Health & Wellbeing
Winner: Thumbs up 4 Care ($1,000)
Runner up: Kapatirang Kabalikat Sa Kagipitan (KASAGIP) Charitable Trust
Body ‘n Soul Day 2015 was commended.
Arts & Culture
Winner: Expressions Whirinaki Arts and Entertainment Centre Volunteers ($1,000)
Runner up: The Hutt Valley Singers
Sport & Leisure
Winner: Upper Hutt Boot Camp ($1,000)
Runner up: Rimutaka Inline Hockey Club Inc
Education & Child/Youth Development
Winner: Upper Hutt Youth Trust ($1,000)
Runner up: Brown Owl Kindergarten
Heritage & Environment
Winner: Golders Homestead Museum Society ($1,000)
Runner up: Upper Hutt Voluntary Rural Fire Force
Wellington City Council
Overall winner
Letting Space ($1,000)
Rising Star Award
Winner: Community Comms Collective ($1,000)
Runner up: Wellington Treasure Trust
Health & Wellbeing
Winner: Community Fruit Harvesting ($1,000)
Runner up: Churton Park Walking Group
Arts & Culture
Winner: Letting Space ($1,000)
Runner up: Film for Change Aotearoa
Watercolour NZ Inc was highly commended.
Sport & Leisure
Winner: NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils for the NZ Community Football Cup ($1,000)
Runner up: WORD (Wellington Off Road Dept)
South Wellington Seido Karate was highly commended.
Education & Child/Youth Development
Winner: Literacy Aotearoa Wellington ($1,000)
Runner Up: Hack Miramar
Heritage & Environment
Winner: Newtown Festival Organisers, a subcommittee of Newtown Residents, for their recycling programme ($1,000)
Runner up: Upstream: Friends of Central Park
Woodridge Planters and The Wrights Hill Fortress Restoration Soc (Inc) were highly commended.